LETTERS OF EMINENT LITERARY MEN.
(Continued from p. 8.)
IV.
Dr. John Ward, Professor of Gresham College, to Dr. Cary, Bishop of Clonfert.
[MS. Donat., Brit. Mus., 6226, p. 16.]
My Lord,
While there was any expectation of your Lordship's speedy return to England, I forbore to congratulate you on your late promotion. For though none of your friends could more truly rejoice at this news than I did, both on your own account, and that of the public; yet in the number of compliments which I was sensible you must receive on that occasion, I close rather to be silent for fear of being troublesome. But as I find it is now uncertain, when your affairs may permit of your return hither, I could not omit this opportunity by your good Lady to express my hearty congratulation upon the due regard shown by the Government to your just merit; and shall think it an honour to be continued in your esteem as ultimus amicorum.
I doubt not but your Lordship has seen Mr. Horsley's Britannia Romana advertised in some of our public Papers; but I know not whether you have heard that the author died soon after he had finished the work, before its publication. When it was hoped that the credit of this book might have been of some service to him and his large family, he was suddenly and unexpectedly taken off by an Apoplexy. Such is the uncertainty of all human affairs. That your Lordship may be long preserved in your high station for the good of the Protestant Religion, and the support of public liberty, are the sincere wishes of,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's obedt Servt.